University of Oklahoma students in fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon were videotaped on a bus clapping, pumping their fists and laughing as they chanted, "There will never be a ni**** SAE. You can hang him from a tree, but he can never sign with me. There will never be a ni**** SAE."

Members of the Barton County Commission are to be commended for a statement read by Commission Chairman Kenny Schremmer Monday morning. It was a mea culpa for violating the Kansas Open Meetings Act last week.

The Tuesday, April 7, general election is just around the corner and many folks may want to submit letters to the editor regarding the campaign. The Great Bend Tribune appreciates the willingness of those running for office and those supporting the candidates to adhere to the newspaper's letters to the editor policy.

In the Golden Belt recently, we've gone from warm to cold and from rain to snow, all in the matter of one day., We all know just what can be dished out by Mother Nature. But, as winter fades to spring, the area faces a different kind of weather threat – thunder storms and tornadoes.

"Where else can a dollar donated touch so many lives," said Rick Chochon, United Way of Central Kansas pacesetter co-chair and United Way Board member. He was addressed the UWCK's first-ever Pacesetter Luncheon Thursday afternoon. It was an opportunity to honor the top 15 payroll companies and other special award winners.

News that the Great Bend Public Library was spending more than $762,012.92 on a geothermal heating and air conditioning system shocked the city council members, who wrote the check earlier this month. It was probably out of frustration that city councilman Dana Dawson asked whether the library will even be needed in the future.

Recently, during Jeffrey Chapman's two-week trial on first-degree murder charges, the Great Bend Tribune showed photos of Chapman walking to the Barton County Courthouse in the presence of Barton County Sheriff's Officers. Because he was wearing modern constraints not visible to the naked eye, some people assumed he posed a flight risk and wondered what law enforcement officers were thinking.

For once, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback's efforts to correct the state's massive budget shortfall make a modicum of sense. He has forwarded proposals to raise alcohol and tobacco taxes which are now being reviewed by a legislative committee.

Articles by Section - Viewpoint

Unfortunately, Barton County Commissioner Jennifer Schartz said public officials grab the headlines when they have a bad day and make a mistake. That is why she appreciated what 911 Director Doug Hubbard had to say Monday morning.

President Obama told an audience this week that mandatory voting might not be a bad idea. "It would be transformative if everybody voted - that would counteract money more than anything," he said Wednesday at a town hall-style event in Cleveland, Ohio.

Last week, videos of a fight that occurred at Great Bend High School went viral. That means that it was seen by so many people, it was picked up by several online magazines and is now circulating worldwide through their subscribers. These magazines failed to follow up with even a little bit of reporting. They rushed to post the videos, and assigned "talking heads" to tell viewers what they are watching without regard for the facts.